Stephen Cracknell

"I was privileged to travel to Israel to live in a kibbutz (collective farm) for a month in the late 1970's, aged in my early twenties.

I wasn't a Christian nor Jewish - just a young guy looking for adventure to a degree, but looking back - meaning and purpose.

Israel is an amazing place and it's not hard to be awakened to the fact that Jesus walked there 2000 years ago. Especially when a Christian Jew, called "Walking David", took a group of us on a 2 1/2 hour tour of Jerusalem highlighting the places where the Lord Jesus walked and taught!

As I travelled around Israel I saw places like Galilee, Jericho, Dead Sea - even spending Christmas Eve in a little town called Bethlehem. You may have heard of it?

However, it was in a small church in Old Jerusalem that I prayed a very simple but very sincere prayer that God would make Himself real to me.

When I returned to home to Australia I went and saw Franco Zeffirelli's film, "Jesus of Nazareth" twice at the local theatre in the South Coast of NSW where I grew up. I went twice because I became captivated by the person of Jesus the first time I saw the film.

To cut a long story short, I was experiencing a very real heart interest in God; especially as to whom He really was and also a growing awareness as to my (non) relationship with Him. It all came to a head on the 30th April, 1979 when I "went forward" at a Billy Graham Crusade and was 'born again'.

I am amazed to this day how little I knew about Jesus at the time, but I did genuinely know that I needed to 'connect' with Him as a matter of highest priority - and I entered the kingdom of God that day as a little child - all of grace - nothing but grace.

Frankly, it was so simple but so powerfully real - still is.

That was nearly 40 years ago and my 'heart interest' in God has never waned because God is just so good, loving, accessible, patient and sovereign over all that is - even in the darkest moments of my life.

I attend an evangelical church on the Mid-North Coast of NSW, Australia.

When I am not teaching a terrific bunch of teens at a local Christian school, I manage to be an editor on this site, catch up with my fantastic children (and of course, a grandson), follow the Parramatta Eels (rugby league). Finally, I always enjoy discussing our Lord, theology and the Christian faith with students and friends.

I really hope you 'enjoy' this website - I hope it brings you closer to the Creator. I hope you will be challenged to explore the "Christian faith" - which really means I hope you will consider the risen Jesus. He still lives you know!"

Stephen R Cracknell

PLEASE CONTACT ME

Please email me if you are a former student and/or person from the distant past! I can be contacted via: our CONTACT US page (DO IT!!!)

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RECENT SERMONS

Selected passages from the Book of Hebrews. Sermons entitled "Jesus. Better Than Anything' (1.1 - 2.4); "Let My People Grow" (5.11 - 6.12) and "What's So Special About Jesus? (6.13 - 7.28) can be downloaded HERE.